Over the past year, Subsea Global Solutions has been actively engaged in several key international and regional industry forums focused on biofouling management, antifouling technologies, and the evolving regulatory landscape impacting the maritime sector. As global regulators, including the IMO, move closer to mandatory biofouling management requirements, meaningful dialogue between regulators, researchers, technology developers, and service providers has never been more critical.

Our Environmental Services Director, Karl Lander, represented Subsea Global Solutions at multiple conferences and working groups, sharing practical insights drawn from our global operational experience and learning directly from industry peers. These events reinforced a common theme: there is no single solution to biofouling management. Instead, progress will depend on collaboration, complementary technologies, and informed regulatory frameworks that balance environmental protection with operational realities.

Below is a summary of several key events attended by Karl Lander and the perspectives shared on behalf of Subsea Global Solutions.

PortPIC

On September 1–2, more than 50 industry experts gathered in Bernried am Starnberger See, Germany, to exchange insights on the latest advancements in in-water cleaning, inspection, and biofouling management. With the IMO progressing toward a mandatory biofouling management instrument, open dialogue and collaboration across the industry are more important than ever.

Subsea Global Solutions’ Environmental Services Director, Karl Lander, participated in the event, sharing our experience working with regulatory agencies worldwide and presenting developments in our cleaning and treatment technologies. His presentation complemented those of fellow participants and underscored the technical and regulatory complexities that remain as the industry moves forward.

The PortPIC forum brought together a diverse group of stakeholders—including coating manufacturers, marine growth prevention system providers, cleaning technology developers, service providers, researchers, port authorities, students, and shipowners. The small, focused setting encouraged meaningful discussions beyond the formal presentations, helping to drive real progress.

While challenges remain, a common theme emerged: the future of biofouling management will rely on integrated, multi-layered solutions that are effective, efficient, and economically viable. Subsea Global Solutions remains committed to supporting these efforts through innovative biofouling management services and reliable underwater repair solutions that keep vessels operating at peak performance.

International Antifouling Conference – Gothenburg, Sweden

I-Tech hosted the 3rd International Antifouling Conference on 10–11 September in Gothenburg, Sweden, bringing together approximately 190 delegates from across the maritime industry. While the conference originated within the coatings sector, it has grown to encompass a broader range of biofouling management topics, reflecting the increasing complexity of the issue.

Karl Lander delivered a presentation focused on the challenges faced and lessons learned from working with regulatory agencies around the world. Speaking from the perspective of a global service provider, Karl shared how Subsea Global Solutions has navigated a wide variety of regulatory and testing frameworks, highlighting both areas of synergy and ongoing challenges.

The audience—comprised of coating manufacturers, shipowners, laboratories, universities, performance managers, and other maritime professionals—provided a diverse backdrop for meaningful discussion. Robust Q&A sessions and networking conversations underscored a shared understanding that managing biofouling will require collaborative approaches and synergistic technologies, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Port of the Future Conference – Houston, Texas

In March, Karl Lander attended and served as a panelist at the Port of the Future Conference in Houston, an event focused on how ports are adapting to evolving commercial, technological, and regulatory pressures.

Karl participated in the “Robotics in Maritime Applications” panel, where he discussed the role of robotics in hull cleaning operations. While much of the broader conference conversation centered on robotics replacing traditional port processes, Karl emphasized how robotic hull cleaning technologies could unlock new operational opportunities.

Many ports currently prohibit hull cleaning during cargo operations due to legitimate diver safety concerns. Karl outlined how robotic solutions can significantly reduce human risk, potentially enabling concurrent cleaning during cargo operations. This shift could deliver meaningful efficiency gains for both shipowners—through increased cleaning opportunities and reduced port lay-by time—and ports themselves.

Pacific Ballast Water & Biofouling Working Group – Long Beach, California

In late April, Karl Lander participated in the Pacific Ballast Water & Biofouling Working Group (PBWBG) Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California. The PBWBG includes representatives from U.S. Pacific Coast states, the federal government, and Canada, and serves as a forum for information-sharing on biofouling and ballast water management.

As an industry participant, Subsea Global Solutions provided a service-provider perspective that is not always represented in regulatory discussions. Karl delivered an overview of the current state of global hull cleaning technologies, with particular emphasis on how Subsea Global Solutions is adapting its operations to meet increasingly stringent regulations.

The presentation generated significant engagement and questions from attendees, offering valuable insight into the practical realities of delivering compliant hull cleaning services worldwide. Participation in the PBWBG has also strengthened Subsea Global Solutions’ relationships with the state agencies that oversee and regulate our operations.

Looking Ahead

Across all of these events, one message was clear: the future of biofouling management will require interwoven solutions that are environmentally responsible, operationally feasible, and economically viable. Subsea Global Solutions remains committed to contributing to this dialogue—working alongside regulators, researchers, ports, and vessel operators to advance best practices and deliver effective underwater services worldwide.